Zayn and his former One Direction bandmates are nominated in the same category

He wrote: “@Louis_Tomlinson love you bro! All of your family is in my prayers. proud of your strength and know your mum is too x.”

However the two men will go head to head at the Brit Awards ceremony in February, as Zayn’s debut track Pillowtalk goes up against One Direction’s final single History in the British Artist Video category, which will be decided by public vote.

The couple broke off their engagement in August 2015 and the girl group’s smash hit Shout Out to my Ex is believed to reference their bitter breakup.

Both acts are up for British single, with Zayn receiving a nomination for Pillowtalk and Little Mix for Shout Out to my Ex.

They will also compete against each other in British Artist Video of the Year, with Zayn’s video for Pillowtalk – which features current girlfriend Gigi Hadid – going against the girls’ Hair, which features Sean Paul.